A chance to witness history

Westlawn, University Place choir to perform at inauguration festival

Sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders from Westlawn Middle School and University Place Middle School rehearse in a combined school choir at Westlawn under the direction of Levert Hedgemon on Tuesday. More than 20 students from both schools will travel to Washington, D.C., to sing at the Heritage Music Festival’s 2013 Presidential Inauguration Festival Jan. 17-22.

Michelle Lepianka Carter

By Jamon SmithStaff Writer

Published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 11:49 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | On April 21, the Westlawn and University Place middle schools’ combined concert choir won a first-place silver award at the 2012 Heritage National Music Festival in New Orleans.

Their victory earned them a national title and afforded them an opportunity to represent Tuscaloosa and the state at a historic event — the Presidential Inauguration Festival in Washington, D.C., Thursday through Jan.22.

The invitation to perform at the inauguration of President Barack Obama was a proud moment for the 19-student choir, but it didn’t appear that they could afford the $625-per-student cost to travel until about a week ago.

Thanks to an overwhelming response from Tuscaloosa residents, Alabama residents, local politicians, state politicians and even people in Washington, D.C., the choir has the money to pay for the trip and some spending money to spare.

“I was overwhelmed and pleasantly shocked that the community was behind us and donated the money we needed,” said Levert Hedgemon Jr., choral music director at Westlawn and University Place.

“It had never dawned on me to ask for help,” he said. “We were trying to do it all ourselves. Also, state senators and representatives gave each student a commendation commending them for representing Alabama in D.C.”

Hedgemon said that, initially, the students didn’t understand the gravity of the trip. But when donations from the community and politicians started pouring in, the significance of the occasion became real.

“I feel successful,” said LaKinda Griffin, a 12-year-old seventh-grader at Westlawn who sings soprano. “I feel like we’ve accomplished a lot. This is my first time seeing the president and going to D.C. I’m excited about all of it.”

Damon Smith, a 13-year-old eighth-grader at Westlawn who sings tenor and baritone, said the opportunity to sing for the president at his inauguration is a once-in-a-lifetime honor that he’s ready to tackle.

“I feel good,” Smith said. “At first I was nervous, but now it’s worn off and I’m ready. A lot of people wanted to go on this trip, but they were having a hard time paying for it. It feels good to know that the community has stepped up and helped us go.”

In addition to attending the president’s inauguration, while in D.C. the choir will visit the National Museum of African American History, the National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian, the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Washington Monument and Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key penned the words of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

<p>TUSCALOOSA | On April 21, the Westlawn and University Place middle schools' combined concert choir won a first-place silver award at the 2012 Heritage National Music Festival in New Orleans.</p><p>Their victory earned them a national title and afforded them an opportunity to represent Tuscaloosa and the state at a historic event — the Presidential Inauguration Festival in Washington, D.C., Thursday through Jan.22.</p><p>The invitation to perform at the inauguration of President Barack Obama was a proud moment for the 19-student choir, but it didn't appear that they could afford the $625-per-student cost to travel until about a week ago.</p><p>Thanks to an overwhelming response from Tuscaloosa residents, Alabama residents, local politicians, state politicians and even people in Washington, D.C., the choir has the money to pay for the trip and some spending money to spare.</p><p>“I was overwhelmed and pleasantly shocked that the community was behind us and donated the money we needed,” said Levert Hedgemon Jr., choral music director at Westlawn and University Place.</p><p>“It had never dawned on me to ask for help,” he said. “We were trying to do it all ourselves. Also, state senators and representatives gave each student a commendation commending them for representing Alabama in D.C.”</p><p>Hedgemon said that, initially, the students didn't understand the gravity of the trip. But when donations from the community and politicians started pouring in, the significance of the occasion became real.</p><p>“I feel successful,” said LaKinda Griffin, a 12-year-old seventh-grader at Westlawn who sings soprano. “I feel like we've accomplished a lot. This is my first time seeing the president and going to D.C. I'm excited about all of it.”</p><p>Damon Smith, a 13-year-old eighth-grader at Westlawn who sings tenor and baritone, said the opportunity to sing for the president at his inauguration is a once-in-a-lifetime honor that he's ready to tackle.</p><p>“I feel good,” Smith said. “At first I was nervous, but now it's worn off and I'm ready. A lot of people wanted to go on this trip, but they were having a hard time paying for it. It feels good to know that the community has stepped up and helped us go.”</p><p>In addition to attending the president's inauguration, while in D.C. the choir will visit the National Museum of African American History, the National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian, the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Washington Monument and Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key penned the words of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”</p><p>The choir will have three performances while in the nation's capital.</p><p>They leave for D.C. on Thursday and return Tuesday.</p><p>Reach Jamon Smith at jamon.smith@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204.</p>